Staff Research Associate Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Staff Research Associate make in District of Columbia?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Research Associate in District of Columbia is $49,437 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

However, a Staff Research Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $59,459
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,646 to $54,683
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,285
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View as table View as graph 25% $44,646 10% $40,285 90% $59,459 75% $54,683 $49,437 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Staff Research Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $54,683 $4,557 $1,052 $26
Average $49,437 $4,120 $951 $24
25th Percentile $44,646 $3,721 $859 $21
Check out Staff Research Associate Job Openings in District of Columbia
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EAB - Washington, DC

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Georgetown University - Washington, DC

Post Doctoral Research Associate

New Jersey Institute of Technology - Washington, DC

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Key Factors That Influence Staff Research Associate Salaries

A Staff Research Associate's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Staff Research Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Staff Research Associate's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $44,137
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,051
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $55,655
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $59,805
  • Expert (over 8 years): $86,889
Levels Salary
Machine O... Level Staff Research Associate$44,137
Staff Res... Level Staff Research Associate$49,051
Machine O... Level Staff Research Associate$55,655
Machine O... Level Staff Research Associate$59,805
Machine O... Level Staff Research Associate$86,889
$44,137 0 yr
$49,051 < 2 yrs
$55,655 2-4 yrs
$59,805 5-8 yrs
$86,889 > 8 yrs
View as Table
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Staff Research Associates

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Parcel Return Service: $49,168
  • Washington: $49,169
  • Naval Anacost Annex: $49,166

Staff Research Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Staff Research Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Staff Research Associate positions in MFG Durable or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Staff Research Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Staff Research Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Media$64,268$31.030%
Insurance$61,796$30.025%
Construction$59,324$29.020%
Financial Services$56,852$27.015%
Aerospace & Defense$54,380$26.010%

Staff Research Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Staff Research Associate's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Staff Research Associate Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Staff Research Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Center for a New American Security

    Washington, DC

    Center for a New American Security | Washington, DC

    Job Description. Job Description. The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) seeks to hire a Research. Assistant/Associate. to join the Technology and N... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Williams Adley

    Washington, DC

    Williams Adley | Washington, DC

    Job Description. Job Description. Williams Adley respectfully requests that recruiting agencies, headhunters, and search firms REFRAIN from contacting us o... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Cato Institute

    Washington, DC

    Cato Institute | Washington, DC

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. The Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives seeks a Research Associate for a full-ti... more

    6 Days Ago

  • J.P. Morgan

    Washington, DC

    J.P. Morgan | Washington, DC

    hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION We are seeking a Senior Associate ... more

    2 Days Ago

  • GE Vernova

    NISKAYUNA, NY

    GE Vernova | NISKAYUNA, NY

    Job Description Summary As a Power Electronics Research Engineer in Vernova R&D organization, you will be involved in the development of new power electron... more

    2 Days Ago

  • GE Vernova

    NISKAYUNA, NY

    GE Vernova | NISKAYUNA, NY

    Job Description Summary As an FPGA Design Research Engineer, you will have the opportunity to architect and develop state-of-the-art embedded systems for r... more

    4 Days Ago

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